As residents of Houston cope with catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, the spirit of some area sports fans got a boost when the Astros acquired standout pitcher Justin Verlander.

“Bravo, Astros, Bravo. A welcome surprise in an otherwise dismal time, this should lift everyone up a bit,” cajunmatt68 posted on a story about the trade with the Detroit Tigers on the Houston Chronicle’s website.

Baseball won’t solve Houston’s problems, but it could help some.

Stefan Szymanski, an economist who studies the business of sports and examines sports history and culture, said good sports news sends people into euphoria.

“As a species, we’re always looking for good news,” said Szymanski, a University of Michigan professor of sport management in Ann Arbor. “We’re looking for things that are going to cheer us up.”

Good news, he said, is always welcome and helps people get through the day.

The Verlander trade announcement came as people face widespread devastation in Houston, the country’s fourth-largest city.

In 2001 after terrorist attacks targeting New York and Washington, D.C., killed nearly 3,000 people, the New York Yankees upset the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). They lost in the World Series in seven games.

In 2010, the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl. It happened nearly five years after Hurricane Katrina caused death and destruction in the city. The hurricane remained on people’s minds when their football team won.

In 2013, shortly after the Boston Marathon bombings, Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz rallied residents of the city with his message before a baseball game: “This is our (expletive) city.”

Joe Lapointe, a longtime sports writer at the Free Press and New York Times, worked as an usher at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in 1968.

He said the Tigers' World Series championship that year brought people together and allowed them to celebrate something they had in common, gave people respite and something to smile about, but it didn’t heal what went happened in 1967 and had little long-term impact.

“The ‘68 Tigers were a wonderful moment in the city’s history,” Lapointe said. “And it put a smile on just about everyone’s faces for a while.”

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander poses for a photo with Detroit Lions mascot Roary before the start of the Lions preseason game against the Bengals at Ford Field in Detroit on Aug. 18, 2016.
Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press

Justin Verlander waves to Tigers fans at Comerica Park as he leaves the field after his postgame interview on Aug. 26, 2015. Verlander lost his no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Angels.
Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carlos Osorio, AP

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander get a feel for what a 30-pound rucksack feels like on the fields at Wayne State University with the U.S. Marines, Aug. 22, 2017. Verlander's Wins for Warriors announced the launch of the inaugural Patriot Ruck as part of Marine Week.
Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Tiger pitcher Justin Verlander and supermodel Kate Upton worked out on the fields at Wayne State University with the U.S. Marines, Aug. 22, 2017, ahead of Detroit Marine week that will be held, Sept. 6-10.
Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Former Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez is greeted by Justin Verlander after he threw out the first pitch before action against the Red Sox, April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Justin Verlander gets a standing ovation from Tigers fans at Comerica Park after pitching the top of the eighth inning against the Dodgers on Aug. 20, 2017. The Tigers won, 6-1. It was Verlander's last home start as a Tiger.
Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press